Action, especially martial arts, is one of the most prevalent genres in anime. In practice, regardless of the sub-genre following the action—be it action/adventure, action/comedy, or action/fantasy—there is certainly a strong element of martial arts involved.
However, most martial artists represented in manga are male, with notable characters like Goku from Dragon Ball, Garou from One-Punch Man, and Rock Lee from Naruto. Nevertheless, there are quite a few female martial artists who stand out on screen. Below are some of the best female martial artists in anime.
7. Sakura Haruno
Sakura has never been a master of hand-to-hand combat (Taijutsu). As a ninja, she is certainly better than an average person, but compared to skilled Taijutsu users like Rock Lee or her peers Naruto and Sasuke, Sakura still has room to grow. However, everything changed when she received the mentorship of Hokage Tsunade.
Sakura not only learned medical ninjutsu from Tsunade but also trained in martial arts, focusing on the power of her punches. Furthermore, Tsunade taught Sakura how to store chakra, allowing her to use it to enhance her speed, strength, and healing abilities. This combination of enhanced combat skills and chakra manipulation makes Sakura one of the strongest combatants in Konoha today.
6. Boa Hancock
Amazon Lily is a society filled with powerful female warriors. Therefore, the only way to gain respect in this land is to become a strong fighter. As the empress of Amazon Lily and captain of the Kuja Pirates, Boa Hancock is the most formidable warrior in her homeland.
Hancock’s combat skills heavily focus on her long legs and agility to create powerful kicks, reminiscent of a blend between Capoeira and Taekwondo. Her kick is so powerful that it can destroy the armor of a Pacifista. Additionally, her venomous charm allows her to turn anyone into stone, transforming them into a statue with just a single kick.
5. Annie Leonhart
Among all the characters in Attack on Titan, Annie is considered the most skilled hand-to-hand combatant in the series. Trained by her father from a young age, Annie became an expert in martial arts and infiltrated Paradis Island while still a teenager.
Although she is not often showcased officially in the series, Annie’s fighting style resembles Muay Thai, combined with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. This is why, unlike other characters who rely on the special abilities of Titans, Annie’s strength lies in her martial arts skills. Even when she transforms into the Female Titan, she remains alert and ready to unleash lethal strikes at any moment.
4. Yoruichi Shihouin
In a world where everyone engages in combat with swords, Yoruichi Shihouin is unique in that she always fights unarmed. Yoruichi is an expert in hand-to-hand combat known as Hakuda, similar to martial arts in the real world. Every Shinigami in Gotei 13 knows Hakuda, but Yoruichi has elevated this technique to a higher level. She can be likened to Might Guy from Naruto.
Moreover, as the former captain of Onmitsukido (the special forces of the Soul Society), Yoruichi is incredibly proud of her extraordinary speed. When activated, her unique technique called Shunko envelops her body in Reiatsu, increasing her speed and strength exponentially.
3. Maki Zenin
Maki Zen’in was born under a rare Heavenly Restriction curse. This technique severely limits her natural energy, preventing her from using inherited techniques or even perceiving cursed spirits. However, to compensate, Maki is endowed with exceptional strength, speed, and reaction times that surpass an average person.
Having undergone rigorous training from a young age, Maki has become an expert in hand-to-hand combat and can utilize various weapons in battle. Her fighting style is incredibly powerful and fluid, allowing her to execute attacks and counter-attacks seamlessly.
2. Violet Evergarden
Violet Evergarden is a character created to serve as a deadly weapon and has spent many years on the battlefield. Violet displays one of the most dangerous fighting styles among female warriors in anime. The reason for her relentless combat is that she fights solely to fulfill the last wishes of her fallen comrades, without worrying about her own safety.
This fighting style means that no one can do anything to stop her from getting hurt, and nothing can prevent her from using her abilities to fulfill her mission. She is not bound by any specific technique but simply adapts her movements to suit her adversaries, whether it be a direct strike, a kick, or a piercing jab.
1. Yor Forger
Similar to Violet, Yor Forger was also trained from a young age to become an assassin. The difference is that while Violet was forced to become a soldier, Yor became an assassin by her own choice, primarily because she needed money to support her younger brother. Both are incredibly dangerous martial artists with their hands and feet capable of delivering lethal strikes to their targets.
What sets Yor apart from Violet is her advanced techniques and extraordinary strength, honed over many years of training in her craft. As an assassin, Yor is particularly adept at stealth, understanding where to strike to incapacitate her targets effectively. Not only that, her assassination skills are so refined that she can eliminate her targets without raising an alarm.
